Last night, Mac and I were sitting around reminiscing about the bad old days of the Durham/Chapel Hill Hardcore scene of the late 80's and early 90's, looking for
pictures that might have people in them that we vaguely remember, talking about people like Napalm with his beautifully quaffed, multi-colored Mohawks, mouse-clicking our way through the close-by and infinitely influential DC punk scene via
Yellow Arrow.
This morning I continued our search, and Mac joined in. I discovered some slightly used
Celibate Commandos 7" records [pictured above, left] on a French online record store. Only three copies available, pretty damn Limited Ed. Of course, I have both of their records already. Mac found a great looking book, entitled
Punk Love [pictured above, right] by Susie J. Horgan with text by Henry Rollins, Ian and Alec MacKaye about the birth of the Washington, DC punk movement.
I kind of remember the late 80's, early 90's (too many blows to the head), going to Street Scene and Cat's Cradle in Chapel Hill and the Duke Coffeeshop in Durham to see bands like the Celibate Commandos, Rights Reserved,
Rat Nuts, Tonka, Creeping Flesh, 23 More Minutes,
Bad Brains,
Corrosion of Conformity, etc. Of course, Ernie Dollar remembers that stuff a whole lot better than I do. And he has the
Myspace page to prove it. I remember Ernie, we were both friends with
Edward from Celibate Commandos. Also, we went to the same high school. He was a couple of years older than me, but I would see him in Mr. Pustaver's art room all the time because we were both artists.
With all this reminiscing, I was wondering, is there anything like this for kids today? Is there a scene for the social outcasts and misfits of today to go let off some steam, thrash around, yell, and bang on things? Or is that why things like Columbine happen now, because punk is dead? Maybe kids today are too busy playing
World of Warcraft to get out and play some guitar, grow a Mohawk, pin a banner on a leather jacket, and scream at the top of their lungs. It's too bad. I miss those days. Sigh.
Radio Silence is a book. Fucking punk rock! Hardcore as hell! Oi! Oi! Oi! Bang your head! Reminds me of the good ol' days of the Celibate Commandos. The record covers above even remind me of their album covers. I definitely remember those 7 Seconds album covers.
Blu's new Limited Ed. book is available now from Studio Cromie for 24 € (or 40 € signed). It is a 160 page hardcover book with 80 pages of drawings and 80 pages of murals from 2004 to 2007. I am a huge fan of Blu's murals, but especially love his animated work, most of which incorporate murals into it. Anyway, go buy his book. Buy one copy for yourself and send me a copy. I will love you forever if you do.
One day only, today, Friday, March 23rd, from 10 am until 6 pm. 20-50% off comic supplies, trading and game cards, t-shirts, assorted graphic novels, and most plush toys. Back issues and comic sets are buy one get one free! Graphic novels, Manga, books, trading and action figures are buy two get one free! So get on down and get yourself some comic goodies.
